TAE KWON DO: TWO battling brothers from Trowbridge have been awarded their first degree black belts after impressing at a recent grading session in Bristol.

Joe and Timothy May were among 13 members of the Trowbridge and Westbury TAGB Club to pass their grading examinations on Sunday.

The brothers took up Tae Kwon Do four years ago and have been training under the guidance of instructor Rob Tucker at Clarendon College.

Joe, aged nine, is the youngest member of the club to pass his first degree black belt.

He said: "I took up Tae Kwon Do because I was getting bullied and I wanted to put a stop to it.

"The grading session was tough and I was very nervous waiting to hear if I had passed. Now I'm eager to get my second degree black belt. I would also like to be an instructor when I'm older."

Timothy, 12, said he was pleased to pass at the same time as his brother "When I found out we had passed it was very exciting. This is a great achievement for both of us," he said.

Proud mum Sue thanked the instructors at the Trowbridge and Westbury club for giving her sons more self-confidence.

She said: "Mr Tucker is fantastic with the children. I would certainly recommend the club to other parents."

As well as working towards their second degree black belt, the May brothers will be helping with some of the coaching sessions at Clarendon.

Club member Craig Ellingworth had more reason than most to celebrate in Bristol when he was awarded his second degree black belt.

Ellingworth is one of 180 club members who attend the sessions in either Trowbridge or Westbury.

For more information on Tae Kwon Do contact Rob Tucker on (01225) 344530 or visit www.blackbeltschools.com